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Cashier

Cashiers add up bills, accept payments, and make change. They also give information, fill out forms, and provide receipts for goods and services. They work in grocery stores, department stores, and many other stores, as well as in theatres and restaurants.

Also Known As

Checkout Clerk, Customer Service Representative, Grocery Clerk, Sales Clerk, Salesperson, Store Clerk, Supermarket Clerk, Ticket Agent

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 6611: Cashiers

2006 NOC-S

  • G311: Cashiers

2011 NOC

  • 6611: Cashiers

2016 NOC

  • 6611: Cashiers

2021 NOC

  • 65100: Cashiers

2023 OaSIS

  • 65100.00: Cashiers
Duties
Updated Apr 05, 2022

Most cashiers use digital cash registers and price scanners. At the start of each shift, they are given a set amount of money in a drawer. At the end of the shift, they may need to balance their cash against their total cash receipts. Cashiers must know the store’s prices, product codes, policies, and procedures. Their duties will vary depending on where they work. In general, they:

  • Greet and thank customers
  • Accept payments in cash, by debit card, and by credit card
  • Promote the use of credit
  • Process coupons, discounts, gift certificates, returns, and exchanges
  • Provide refunds

Cashiers, stores, and cafeterias may also:

  • Scan or enter the prices of items and subtract the value of coupons or discounts
  • Weigh produce and bulk food
  • Tell customers where to find products
  • Package or bag goods
  • Offer carry-out service
  • Keep the checkout area clean and orderly
  • Make sure they have enough change at all times
  • Make sure they have appropriate cash levels at all times
  • Use the paging system to ask for help or information
  • Return items to the shelves and stock shelves during slow periods
  • Wait to serve the first available customer

Cashiers in retail stores may also:

  • Pack bought goods in bags or boxes
  • Act as a salesperson

For more information, see the Retail Salesperson occupational profile.

Cashiers in restaurants may also:

  • Take reservations or takeout orders
  • Seat guests

Box office cashiers sell tickets at places like theatres, stadiums, and skating rinks. In general, they:

  • Give information about events in person or by phone, e-mail, or regular mail
  • Describe venue layouts and seating locations to help customers choose the best seats
  • Fill bookings for seats
  • Attend pre-work meetings to receive updates and pick up items to hand out to customers
  • Change till, debit, and credit machine paper rolls as needed
  • Receive and process payments for items such as debit and credit transactions, passes, and tickets

Theatre box office cashiers often do public relations work as well.

Cashiers who work in government departments and other large organizations (such as utility companies) receive and process payments for things such as utility bills, taxes, and parking fines.

Working Conditions
Updated Apr 05, 2022
  • Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

Cashiers work with the public. Most stand in small booths or behind counters for long periods. They constantly use keypads, touch screens, and scanners. Sometimes they are near store entrances, which can be drafty in winter. During busy periods, they may feel pressure to work quickly while being accurate and pleasant.

Cashiers in grocery stores, cafeterias, theatres, and retail stores often work evenings and weekends. They may work part time during busy periods. Restaurant and hotel cashiers often work rotating shifts without set days off. Vacation times may be limited to less busy times of year. Break times may vary depending on how busy the workplace is.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Cashiers

2006 NOC: 6611

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in comparing to calculate total payments received at the end of the work shift and reconcile with total sales

OBJECTIVE

Interest in manipulating - operating to wrap and place merchandise in bags, and to tabulate bills using calculators, cash registers and optical price scanners; may stock shelves and clean check-out counter area

social

Interest in speaking with customers to provide information; may accept reservations and take-out orders

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Apr 05, 2022

Cashiers need:

  • Patience and tact
  • A polite and outgoing personality
  • A neat appearance
  • Interpersonal skills
  • The ability to keep calm under pressure
  • Communication skills
  • Math and numeracy skills
  • Keyboarding skills
  • The ability to remember faces, products, price codes, and promotions

They should enjoy:

  • Following instructions
  • Balancing total payments and sales
  • Packing goods
  • Operating equipment
  • Having daily contact with the public

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Cashiers

2016 NOC: 6611

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 580 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 08, 2024 and Dec 07, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Greet customers
Tasks: Operate cash register
Tasks: Process money, cheques and credit/debit card payments
Experience: Will train
Tasks: Calculate daily/shift payments received and reconcile with total sales
Tasks: Receive payment for goods or services
Tasks: Scan items
Tasks: Provide customer service
Tasks: Stock shelves and clean counter area
Flexibility
Educational Requirements
Updated Apr 05, 2022
  • Minimum Education Varies

The main requirements for cashiers are the abilities to provide good customer service and to work with numbers accurately and quickly. Those who work with large sums of money must be bondable (That means they are seen as responsible and law-abiding by an insurance company). Cashiers who work with foreign currency must know how to process conversions. Computer experience is an asset.

Cashiers usually train on the job. Some employers provide short online or in-person training sessions before they put inexperienced cashiers on the floor.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Apr 05, 2022
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Apr 05, 2022

Cashiers work in:

  • Grocery and food stores
  • Drug stores
  • Department stores
  • Restaurants
  • Theatres
  • Hotels and motels
  • Government
  • Large companies

In some stores, they must join a union to work.

Cashiers may move into positions in other store departments. They may also advance to supervisory positions. In some stores, they may advance to assistant or branch manager positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Cashiers
2016 NOC: 6611

91.3% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Cashiers
2021 NOC: 65100
Medium
Demand
37,000
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Cashiers
2016 NOC: 6611
2.0%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
666
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Apr 05, 2022

In some retail establishments, the starting wage for cashiers is at or just above minimum wage.

As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Minimum Wage.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Cashiers

2016 NOC: 6611
Average Wage
$16.65
Per Hour
Average Salary
$21,896.00
Per Year
Average Hours
25.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 6611 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.00 $16.00 $15.12 $15.00
Overall $15.00 $20.00 $16.65 $16.19
Top $15.00 $28.00 $19.94 $18.00

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Information, Culture, Recreation
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
73%
73%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
34%
34%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
16%
16%
Vacancy Rate
3%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Personal and Food Services

Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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